Rules

• PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  Failure to abide by this rule can result in Disqualification for the studio.  If anyone is found photographing or video recording in the competition auditorium, we reserve the right to delete the video footage.  Teachers… it is your responsibility to inform your contestants and parents of this rule.
• There absolutely NO ALCOHOL OR TOBACCO at any event that is hosted at a school property.
• Please note that every venue is unique and has its own set of rules concerning outside food & beverage, use of helium balloons, etc. For specifics, please contact the venue directly. 
• All dance divisions are permitted to have up to 25% acro/gymnastics tricks in them. NOTE: The Cheer & Character divisions may contain up to 50% acro/gymnastics.
• Singing is permitted in the Song & Dance and Vocal categories ONLY.  We will have two handheld/wireless microphones at each venue.  We do not allow any additional equipment to be hooked into the sound system, therefore, no personal microphones, headsets, etc. will be permitted. If personal equipment would like to be used, arrangements need to be made with the director prior to the event. 
• A panel of well-qualified judges will score contestants.  All decisions of the judges are final.
• All contestants grant permission to the Star Dance Alliance to use their photographs and/or videos for promotional reasons.
• Sportsmanlike behavior is expected from all contestants, teachers, and families at all times. Failure to display proper decorum could result in immediate disqualification.  This includes attempting to recruit students from other studios to attend yours at one of our events.
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• No dangerous props may be used on stage (such as fire, swords or knives).  Live animals are also prohibited on stage.
• The load-in and out of props is at the discretion of the director of the show based on many factors including available space and house rules.
• Please alert the backstage manager of any props that will be used before your performance time.
• No props may leave a residue that could be dangerous to other dancers (including but not limited to glass, oils, etc)
• All routines will be permitted 2 minutes to build props from the moment you walk on the stage.
• Props that take longer than 2 minutes will need to register and pay for extended time.
  • $25 - up to 1 minute
  • $50 - up to 5 minutes
  • $75 - up to 7 minutes
  • $100 - up to 10 minutes
• Liquids, paints, powders, chalk & glitter are PROHIBITED from coming in contact with the marley floor. If any of these items are utilized and transfer from the body to the surface of the marley floor, it must be cleaned up immediately by the studio. This may result in disqualification or removal from overall high scores.
• • Any item left on stage (props, flower petals, leaves, etc.) must be cleaned up by the studio in an efficient and timely manner. Failure to do so may result in removal from overall high scores.

• A protest may only be initiated by a Studio Director/Teacher.  It must be signed and submitted in writing to the director of the show within 30 minutes of the incident involved.  Protests may not be submitted after an awards ceremony.

• All SDA competitions reserve the right to stop the music for any routine that contains vulgar language or content. The routine may be adjudicated only based on the portion of the performance that they judges saw. If you question whether or not your music is appropriate, please notify us prior to the competition, and the show director will check the music for you.

Contestants are required to provide their own music that must be recorded at the proper speed

• UPLOAD - Music can be uploaded through our registration system, and must be done at least 7 days prior to the competition. 
• CD'S - There must be only ONE routine per CD. A backup of all music must be accessible in the event that it is needed.  CDs must be labeled with the routine name, number, and studio name.
• IPODS - These will ONLY be accepted if it is clearly labeled with the studio name, address, and phone #.  Each routine must be its own separate playlist.  The playlist must be labeled with the entry number (four digits) and routine title in the following format: "0384- Party in the USA".  It is also important to make sure that the repeat function is not enabled.  The device MUST be fully charged, and it is the responsibility of the studio to provide a charger. 
• FLASH DRIVES - These must be labeled with the studio name. Each routine must be labeled with the entry number and routine title in the following format: "384 - Party in the USA". Please put the routines in order.

• Entries will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to the amount of performance time available.
• The name of a routine may NOT be the same name as the dance studio.
• NO entries will be processed until they are PAID IN FULL.
• NO CASH REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED FOR ANY REASON
• NO PHONE, FAXED, or MAILED entries will be accepted.
• All entries must include the correct names and ages of all contestants.
• Studios are required to assign a competition level for EACH performer when they are entering their roster in the registration system. Please be certain that you are entering your performers in the CORRECT PERFORMANCE LEVEL. NOTE: levels can not change throughout the season after the first SDA event is competed at. 
• It is IMPERATIVE that your roster be entered/updated with the CORRECT PERFORMANCE LEVEL and CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH when inputting your registration data. This WILL NOT be able to be changed after the schedule is completed.
• The studio must make all changes and edits to entries, via their online account. Changes may be made online until entries are frozen for schedule, approximately 21 days prior to the competition. Any entries that require changes at the show will incur a $5 fee, per change
• All fees MUST be paid by credit card or e-check. No personal/studio checks, cashier's checks, or money orders will be accepted.
• After payment is made, you will receive a summary via email of all routines registered. It is imperative that you review this information including birth date and age division, and reply IMMEDIATELY with any corrections. Any changes made are not guaranteed to be reflected in the souvenir program. NO CHANGES WILL BE PERMITTED LESS THAN 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE COMPETITION. 
• NO CHANGES TO REGISTRATION WILL BE ALLOWED ON SITE
• We reserve the right to add additional competition days/times if deemed necessary, and also reserve the right to move the competition location if it becomes necessary due to circumstances beyond its control.
• We also reserve the right to limit solos to two (2) per dancer, depending on venue capability and space.

A time schedule will be e-mailed (provided that an email address was clearly provided on your entry form) no later than seven (7) days before the competition date to all entrants. There is NO general format.  Every regional schedule is based solely on the breakdown of entries by solos, duet/trios, groups, and lines in each age division for that particular city.  This breakdown is not available until all of the entries have been processed.  At that time, a schedule will be set to best accommodate the entrants at that competition. No time requests will be accepted. 

ALL ENTRIES MUST COMPETE ON THE DAY AND TIME ASSIGNED.  We understand that there are sometimes unforeseen events that can arise.  Any entry, which is not able to compete at their assigned day and time, may request an alteration to the routine's performance time.  If this is approved, this routine may be permitted to compete for ADJUDICATION ONLY and may not be eligible for high score awards. Any change in competition days and/or times is at the sole discretion of the Director and will be determined by the time allowance at each Regional Competition. 

The number in which each routine is assigned is for reference and identification purposes. Routines will perform in numerical order.  If the backstage manager sees potential delays due to costume changes, you may be asked to compete out of sequence in order.  Please be prepared to compete when we call your number, even though it may be a few numbers earlier than you anticipated. 

Studios  MUST be checked in with registration  1 HOUR prior to their scheduled performance time. 

Performers must check in with the backstage manager prior to performance time. Failure to do so could result in your routine being disqualified. 

**NOTE** If you determine that you do not have enough time between numbers to change costumes, it is imperative that you advise the backstage manager. If the backstage manager has not been notified of any problem, and you are not ready to compete when called, your routine may be disqualified.

IMPORTANT: Any person who is actively participating in a routine for ANY amount of time is counted as a performer and must be registered as such. This includes any person who can be seen by the judges for any amount of time and any person who may be in a costume that covers their face and or is used as a prop.

Solo - (1) Performer

Time Limit - 2:45 minutes

Fashion Modeling Time Limit - 1:30 minutes

• Solos MUST compete in the competition level in which the dancer is registered originally on the studio's roster. (The only exception is Fashion Modeling & Vocal Solos, which must compete in the Level 3).
• Soloists are limited to entering a maximum of three (3) solo performance categories and may not compete against themselves in any category. (Soloists may compete in the Compulsory, Fashion Modeling, and Vocal Category in addition to the dance categories).
• A contestant cannot place more than once for high score in the Solo division.

Duet/Trio - 2-3 Performers

Time Limit - 2:45 minutes

• No Duet/Trio may compete against themselves in the same performance category with the same performers. There must be a 50% difference in performers to be in the same age group of the same category.

Small-Group - 4-9 Performers

Time Limit - 3:00 minutes

Large Group - 10-19 Performers

Time Limit - 4:00 minutes

Line - 20 or more Performers

Time Limit - 4:30 minutes

• * A Maximum of 6:00 minutes extended time may be purchased. Any line over 6 minutes MUST be entered in the Grand Line Division.

Grand Line - 20 or more Performers

Time Limit - 7:00 minutes

• Grand Lines compete in the LEVEL 3 ONLY, and have NO specific performance category (Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, etc.).
• The average age will determine the age at which this routine competes. This division allows age 20 & over performers to compete and not be placed in the Adult Division.

EXTENDED TIMES: Solos, Duet/Trios, Groups & Lines may purchase an extended time of 30 seconds at $3/per performer. Grand Lines may purchase an extended time of 1 minute at $3/performer. To register for extended time, please check the box on the routine that indicates "Request Extended Time" on your online studio account. Note: Routines that are over the time limit, that have not registered extended time, will result in automatic point deduction of one point or a fraction thereof for every 5 seconds of overtime if extended time has not been registered for that routine.

*Level 1=Novice, Level 2= Intermediate, and Level 3= formerly known as advanced

AGES ARE DETERMINED BASED ON THE DANCERS AGE ON JANUARY 1ST, 2022.

DIVISIONS:  4 & Under; 5-6 Yrs; 7-8 yrs; 9-11yrs; 12-14 yrs; 15-16 yrs; 17-19 yrs; 20-29 yrs; 30-39 yrs; 40-49 yrs; 50 yrs and over.  NOTE: JAZZ, TAP, LYRICAL, CONTEMPORARY AND OPEN CATEGORY CONTESTANTS WILL ENTER THE FOLLOWING SINGLE AGE DIVISIONS: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 

DETERMINING AGE DIVISION:  Duets/Trios, Groups, and Lines will compete at the average age division determined by averaging the age of all members of the group. Do not use decimals or round up.  Example: If the average comes to 11.8, they will compete in the 11-year old age division.  NOTE:  If there are any substitutions of any performers for National Championships, the ages must then be re-averaged and the group must then compete at the age division that the average is as of the first day of championships they are attending.

ADULT AGE DIVISION: Any routine with a performer 20 years or older will compete in the Adult Division (with the exception of the Grand Line Division).  All adult performers MUST compete in the Advanced performance level and are not eligible for High Score Awards. If enough routines are entered in the Adult Category, a special High Score Award may be awarded at that regional.  Adult dancers may include Teachers, Professionals, Parents, etc. 

PROOF OF AGE:  All performers are required to have proof of ages on hand at every SDA competition.  Failure to provide a birth certificate or driver's license if an age division is challenged will result in disqualification of that routine.

HIGH SCORE AGE DIVISIONS:  High Score Awards will be given out in the Petite (8 & Under), Junior (9-11), Teen (12-14), and Senior (15-19) age divisions.

*AGE BUMP RULE - The oldest performer in a duet/trio, small group, large group or line may only compete (1) age division lower than his/her age. Example: A routine with a 15-year-old performer may only compete in the Teen (age 12-14) or Senior (age 15-19) divisions regardless of the average age. Example: A 15-year-old performer may never compete in the Petite (8 & Under) or Junior (9-11) age division.

The following guidelines are suggestions to be used in determining the appropriate level placement of each competitor.  Because no competition can possibly know how many hours a child dances or for how many years they have danced, it is left to the teacher's own sound judgment when entering level placement for their students.

• Dancers may ONLY be registered at one level. Any dancer found to be registered in more than one level may be disqualified. (This includes if a dancer's names has been entered with a slight difference in the studios registration system, but is actually the same person.)
• Level names will be changed to the following for all SDA Competitions:
  • Level 1 (formerly Novice)
  • Level 2 (formerly Intermediate)
  • Level 3 (formerly Advanced)
• Level 1 will have the following limitations:
• Level 1 dancers MUST compete their solo in Level 1
• Level 1 dancers are permitted to dance in a maximum of 5 routines total in Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups & Large Groups. They may dance in an unlimited number of lines or grand lines.Level 1 dancers may not dance in more than 3 routines in Level 2 (with the exception of lines and grand lines).
• Level 2 dancers MUST compete solos in Level 2
• Level 3 dancers MUST compete solos in Level 3
• All routines must compete at the level that their routine averages out to for Duet/Trios, Small Groups and Large Groups. This means NO LEVELING UP. Example: A large groups contains 10 Level 2 (intermediate) dancers and 2 Level 3 (advanced) dancers, they will be placed in the Level 2 division, and MAY NOT 'LEVEL UP' TO LEVEL 3.
• EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY LEVEL (Inspirational) - The Star Dance Alliance has created a level at all of our competitions designed for dancers who have different abilities and may face developmental or physical challenges. We want these inspirational dancers have a place to flourish and shine like the stars that they are. This level is intended to give dancers that may have certain obstacles the ability to be judged fairly within their own level. Focus is placed on spotlighting these dancers in their unique abilities in an uplifting, respectful and loving way. Scoring will focus on showmanship, memorization

Small Groups and Duet/Trios - The highest level of dancer in a routine will determine the level of the routine.  Example:  One Level 3 Dancer and 8 Level 2 Dancers will determine the routine to be in Level 3.  One  Level 2 dancer and 8 Level 1 dancers will determine the routine to be in Level 2. 

Large Groups and Lines - No more than 1/3 of the dancers in a routine may be at a higher performance level than the level that the routine is entered.  Example:  If a routine has 12 dancers - 4 Level 3, 4 Level 2 & 4 Level 1, the routine will be placed in Level 3 because 1/3 or more of the dancers are Level 3.

IMPORTANT NOTES ON COMPETITION LEVELS -

• No dancer that is registered in level 3 will be permitted to dance in ANY level 1 routine.
• No level changes may be made at the door.
• No Solo may be bumped to a higher competition level than the level in which the performer is entered on the 2022 studio roster.
• Groups/Lines may be placed in a higher competition level than the average of the participants, but never a lower level.  This must be done PRIOR to the competition. Note:  Any routine that is bumped to a higher level at any SDA competition will remain in that higher level for the remainder of the season throughout ALL Star Dance Alliance Competitions.
• Groups/Lines may be placed in a higher competition level than the average of the participants, but never a lower level.  This must be done PRIOR to the competition. Note:  Any routine that is bumped to a higher level at any SDA competition will remain in that higher level for the remainder of the season throughout ALL Star Dance Alliance Competitions.
• -At any Regional competition, if any act drops below the minimum number of performers required in the group they registered for, the act will be adjudicated, however, the act will not be eligible for High Score Awards. EXAMPLE: A group of 10 performers registered as a Large Group… if 1 performer is unable to perform, this will then drop the number in the group to 9. They can still be judged as a Large Group so that all 10 can attend Championships, but they will not be eligible for the High Score Awards. If this routine changes to a Small Group, then they will be eligible for High Scores and will qualify for Nationals as a Small Group.

Acro/Gymnastics - A routine that contains primarily gymnastic tricks, including, but not limited to walkover, front/back limbers, handstands, headstands, cartwheels, etc. There should be a blend of gymnastics and dance together. 

Ballet - A routine consisting of classical steps & ballet technique. Ballet shoes must be worn. 

Ballroom - a routine using standard or latin ballroom technique and must be performed with ballroom heels or ballroom shoes only.

Baton - Routine using baton(s) and baton technique .

Character - A routine that portrays a character that is easily recognizable.

Cheerleading - A routine that has a combination of strong, sharp movements, vocal cheering and dance.  May contain up to 50% acro/gymnastics.

Clogging - A routine which uses clogging technique. 

Contemporary - A routine that combines both lyrical and modern movements.

Drill Team - A group performing military type moves with precision marching and may incorporate any type of dance. 

Fashion Modeling - (Advanced Level/Solos Only)  Must include Runway "T-style" Modeling Technique

• FORMAL- Any party dress or "After 5" attire.
• SPORTSWEAR- Casual skirts, pants, etc., select sport, skiing, tennis, horseback riding, etc. 
• SWIMWEAR  - Any swimwear or swimsuit & cover-up.

Folkloric - Routine incorporating ethnic styles of dance such as polkas, Hawaiian, Spanish, etc. 

Hip Hop - A dance that consists of the latest street dance style, as seen in current dance videos. 

Jazz - A routine that utilizes jazz technique such as splits, isolation, leaps, etc. 

Lip Sync - A routine that utilizes pantomime techniques and mimics voices on pre-recorded music. 

Lyrical - A routine that is performed to the lyrics or mood of the music. 

Modern - A routine containing a contemporary style of dance. 

Musical Theater - A routine performed to the music of a Broadway musical  or a movie musical. 

Open - A routine that is a combination of any of the other categories; a routine that does not exactly fit any of the definitions of any other category.  (No Vocals permitted)

Photogenic Contest - Contestants should submit a 5x7 or larger photograph the FIRST DAY OF COMPETITION to the registration desk. The photo must be of only one person.  Photogenic contestants must be a registered competitor in that competition and may register more than one photo.

Pointe - A routine that consists of ballet/pointe technique. Pointe shoes must be worn. 

Pom Pon - A routine combining dance with the use of pom pons for at least 80% of the routine. 

Production - This category may be entered ONLY in Line division and must have a minimum of 20 performers.  

Song and Dance - A routine that combines dancing and singing. This is a vocal routine…lead vocals may not be lip synched and may have back up vocal accompaniment only.  We will provide two handheld, wireless microphones.  No personal/studio microphones, headsets, etc. will be permitted. 

Tap - A routine utilizing tap technique and must be performed with tap shoes only. 

Vocal - (Advanced Level Only)  A performance of any type of vocal presentation. Accompaniment must be pre-recorded. (No lead vocals may be recorded; backup voices only will be permitted).  We will provide two handheld, wireless microphones.  No personal/studio microphones, headsets, etc. will be permitted to be hooked into the sound system.

All Star Dance Alliance Competitions will present the following overall awards at their final showdown (Battle, Big Show, No Limits, etc.) at National Championships…

(6) Victory Cups - These will be awarded in the Advanced Level to the overall highest scoring routine in the 11 & Under and 12 & Over age divisions.

(2) Premier Cups - These will be awarded in the Intermediate Level to the overall highest scoring routine in the 11 & Under and 12 & Over age divisions.

(2) Grand Line Champions - These will be awarded to the 1st place scoring Grand Line in the 11 & Under and 12 & Over divisions.